TOKYO — Shigeru Ishiba has secured the presidency of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning him to succeed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Ishiba, a seasoned politician with 38 years of experience, has been pivotal in addressing national security issues and revitalizing Japan’s rural areas. His political career has seen him occupy significant roles including Minister of Defense from 2007 to 2008, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from 2008 to 2009, and Minister in charge of Countryside Revitalization from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, Ishiba held the positions of LDP’s Policy Research Council Chairman from 2009 to 2011 and Secretary-General from 2012 to 2014.
This election marks Ishiba’s fifth attempt at the LDP leadership, having previously contested in 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2020 without success. Representing this bid as his “last political battle,” Ishiba has shown persistent dedication to climbing the ranks of Japanese politics. Originally from Yazu in Tottori Prefecture, he has been a dominant political figure in his district, winning election to the House of Representatives 12 times since first entering the lower house in 1986, following a brief stint in banking.
Ishiba, born on February 4, 1957, balances his political life with his personal life, being married and father to two daughters.
